Theatre partners with Google to launch website

It takes two to tango. And when your partner is internet giant Google, your dance is going to go global.

The Firkin Crane, the home of dance in Cork, unveiled its new website at the launch of its autumn/winter programme this week.

The theatre, which won the prestigious 2013 Arts Audiences Google Mentoring Scheme last year, spent four months working with specialist mentors from Google on the website revamp, and on a range of digital marketing strategies to help it connect with existing and new audiences.

And at the season launch, dance curator Fearghus Ó Conchúir, addressed the audience via a live weblink from Hong Kong.

“I am very pleased that this season features new work from some of the country’s most established, and some of its newest, choreographers and performers,” he said.

“As the country’s only stage dedicated to dance, Firkin Crane is the place to see all kinds of work and the organisation is also one that supports the development of new dance.

At launch of @FirkinCrane Autumn schedule and new website http://t.co/Cfaw49kyiE pic.twitter.com/0Uz8fS7lpw

— wallwebdesign (@wallwebdesign1) September 1, 2014

The season opens with the Cork premiere of Wunderbar, a duet by Cork’s dancer in residence Laura Murphy, and former Siamsa Tire dancer Rob Heaslip, with live music composed by Irene Buckley.

The season also features Lurky! Lurky! a new work by Emma Fitzgerald and Áine Stapleton that comes direct from the Dublin Fringe Festival.

A Halloween highlight will be the Firkin Crane produced Dance Spooktacular, featuring local dance students.

Other programme highlights include Neither Either, the Dublin-based Liz Roche Company and Belfast-based, Maiden Voyage, come together to perform a new dance work that looks at the predicament of living out two conflicting states of mind at once.

Meanwhile, the TerrainSkin, an installation by Máiréad Vaughan and Dara O’Brien, which combines video, dance and music in the dance interactive space, will run throughout the season.

Firkin Crane’s managing director, Paul McCarthy, said they are very proud of the programme.

“Our brief is a wide and varied one between presentation and education, and our success is evidenced with the bustle of a centre that is busy with classes, workshops, and rehearsals,” he said.

“Our presence has now expanded from the physical space here in the heart of historic Cork through our new website which further enhances our linkages to creators world wide and also creates awareness among the public that Firkin Crane is a place where everyone can make, see, or join in dance.”

www.firkincrane.ie